Big bucks in control of deer herd

Forget budget woes. You want to know how bad things are in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources? DNR biologists aren't even in control of the deer herd any longer.

Oh, in theory they manage the world-class Illinois deer herd.

But in practice, the DNR has steadily lost a grip on the deer herd. Control has shifted to politicians, who seem hell-bent on killing more deer. And control has shifted to outfitters, who effectively manage much of the state's best timber.

Consider that later this year, a task force will meet to discuss deer-management issues. The present makeup of the group calls for legislators and members of various groups: outfitters, gun hunters, bowhunters, the insurance agency, the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois State Police and conservation police.

But no deer biologists.

It's against that curious backdrop that the Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic opens today at Bloomington's Interstate Center. The deer show runs through Sunday and more than 20,000 are expected to attend, lured in large part by the display of world-class bucks.

Among the monster racks expected are a 20-pointer from Knox County shot by firearm hunter Marty Sharp of Gilson, a 17-point LaSalle County bowkill bagged by Dave Gorisek of Mark and an 11-point Randolph County bruiser arrowed by archer Joel Eggers.

No doubt other amazing antlers will emerge. Every show includes surprises. In terms of quality of bucks, there's no better event in the United States.

But big bucks are also a big part of the reason DNR has lost its handle over the deer herd.

Based on 2006 numbers, there are 270 licensed outfitters in Illinois that control just over 1 million acres. Wildlife program manager John Buhnerkempe estimated at least another 1 million acres are tied up by non-licensed outfitters, those landowners who choose to book hunts on their own ground.

For those scoring at home, that's nearly 2 million acres tied up by outfitters versus 555,000 acres of public land in Illinois. No wonder more and more people are hunting with outfitters: projected numbers show 11,182 in 2006, up from 8,473 in 2005.

What are those hunters paying big bucks to hunt? Bucks. In 2005, outfitter clients shot 2,244 bucks and 2,598 does. Many of those does were no doubt shot in the late-winter antlerless season.

Break that down and you'll see outfitters are taking roughly one deer for every 207 acres and one doe for every 386 acres. Then again, one outfitter who controls 6,000 acres reported his clients shot eight bucks and no does.

Is it any wonder deer populations are increasing in places?

Is it any wonder selling more deer-hunting permits does not automatically lead to harvest increases?

'There are some big, broad issues we need to address as far as the future of deer hunting,' Buhnerkempe said.

So what's the answer?

One obvious option is for outfitters to kill more does. Good luck enforcing that.

Another option is 'Earn a Buck.' In other words, hunters must kill a doe before shooting a buck, a proposal floated in legislation this spring.

On a case-by-case basis, earn-a-buck programs have worked to reduce deer overpopulation at places like Clinton Lake and, to a lesser degree, Jubilee College State Park. On a statewide level, it would be hugely contentious and difficult to enforce now that the DNR did away with check stations.

Another option is to continue educating landowners about their role in deer management. Spread the message: antlers are great, but to halt overpopulation we've got to control does.

Whatever the eventual answer, it seems sensible to seek the input of biologists who helped build the Illinois deer herd into the national attraction it has become.

Then again, one thing obviously lacking in Springfield these days is good sense.

DNR BUDGET CUTS:

Wild talk of 40 percent cuts to the DNR budget and a 200-person reduction in head count spread like wildlife Wednesday before and after Gov. Blagojevich's budget address. Those claims appear to be misleading.

The spin out of Springfield is that four parts of DNR — the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Geological Survey, the State Water Survey and Waste Management and Resource Center — will be transferred to the University of Illinois. DNR spokesman Chris McCloud told Springfield outdoor writer Chris Young the shift accounts for the budget cut and the personnel reduction.

Maybe. Others are not so sure, since precise budget figures have been difficult to obtain. And many survey workers are already paid through the U of I.

What we do know is the proposed 2009 budget for DNR is $223.3 million — nearly $10 million more than last year. But that also includes $26.6 million less in general state tax revenue. To replace money from the general fund, the budget spends more from 'dedicated funds' — a favorite Blagojevich shell game.

That reportedly includes $14.2 million from the Wildlife and Fish Fund —a $3.2 million increase from the current fiscal year. No doubt more details will emerge soon. Visit prairiestateoutdoors.com for the latest news on this and other outdoor-related subjects.

Et cetera: The Illinois River gets more national exposure for flying carp this evening. Video of Bartonville tele-angler Chris Brackett's carp-shooting escapades should air on Country Music Television during comic Bill Engvall's Country Fried Home Videos program, which starts at 7:30 p.m.